FCC Net Neutrality Ruling Met With Telecoms Opposition

The net neutrality guidelines proposed by the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are being met with serious opposition from leading US broadband and telephone operators.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski planned to ensure net neutrality in the US by forbidding ISPs from favoring some Internet services over others.

The new FCC guidelines will also make it mandatory for companies to provide their customers with information on how they manage their networks.

According to The Associated Press, the proposed FCC rules are being interpreted as an attempt to control the Internet. The guidelines are being opposed by big phone and broadband companies like AT&T and Comcast as well as some public interest groups.

FCC commissioner Michael Copps said in a statement that: “Today is the beginning of an important discussion, and not the end. At issue is who will control access to the online experiences of consumers — consumers themselves or Big Phone and Big Cable gatekeepers”.